A Visit with Damiano Cunego

Damiano Cunego lives in Cerro Veronese, in the hills 20 km to the north of Verona. There is a nice ride you can do from Verona to Piazza Borgo, for an espresso of course, in Bosco Chiesanuova that passes via Cerro Veronese. It's not too unusual to see Cunego out on training rides.

Damiano in front of his trophy case at home.

His trophy from his victory at the Amstel Gold Race in 2008 is his favorite.


His 2004 Giro d'Italia pink jersey, the year he won the Giro.


Damiano won the World Championship as a Junior in Verona in 1999 (he rode a Fontana bicycle)

Favorite music? The Doors.

Favorite wine: Amarone made in his local valley.


Why hasn't he won another Giro d'Italia? "“I’ve done other good Giri after 2004,” Cunego said. “I have developed: now I’m twice as strong as in 2004, but cycling has changed since then. I won a Giro in which there were, above all, Italian riders. Since then, there have always been a lot of foreigners, with strong and competitive teams, and the level has changed. However, I’m always there and it’s not easy always being there.”

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